The boom in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs, which are expected to grow 10.4% between 2023 and 2033 according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is proving that the demand for these jobs stretches far beyond Silicon Valley.
WalletHub recently ranked the best and worst metro areas for STEM professionals, by comparing 100 of the largest metro areas based on factors including professional opportunities, STEM-friendliness and quality of life.
"Science, technology, engineering and math jobs tend to have high salaries, and job opportunities grow at nearly three times the rate of non-STEM jobs," Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst, said in a release. "We can only expect this to accelerate in the future as new technologies continue to change the employment landscape. The top metro areas for STEM professionals have high-quality schools, an abundance of jobs and high pay. They're also great places to live, but since many STEM jobs can be done remotely, you might also consider working in one of these areas while living elsewhere."
Read more: Women make up just 34% of STEM jobs. Look to college campuses to close the gap
Austin, Texas, is the best metro area for STEM professionals in 2025. In Austin, STEM jobs make up over 11.5% of all employment, giving it one of the highest rates in the nation. Austin also had the fifth-largest increase in STEM employment between 2021 and 2023, as well as median earnings for STEM jobs at over $107,000 per year.
Other top cities include Boston and Seattle. In Boston, STEM employment makes up over 11% of all jobs. The city also prioritizes teaching STEM fundamentals from a young age, ranking at the top of the country when it comes to fourth- and eighth-grade mathematics performance. In Seattle, STEM positions make up over 13% of all jobs and average monthly wages for new STEM employees are high at $12,027.
Read more: How AI is impacting HR
The worst metro area for STEM professionals is Jackson, Mississippi, which ranks last at 100 in quality of life, and ranks 99 in STEM-friendliness.
Other low ranking cities include Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee. Little Rock ranks at the bottom for quality of engineering universities, as well as at the bottom for median wage growth for STEM employees. Memphis ranks towards the bottom for quality of life.
"One of the most effective ways for the United States to retain and attract top STEM professionals is by providing opportunities for growth and development in both the public and private sectors," Dr. Aaron C. Clark, professor and co-director for engineering education, Department of STEM Education at North Carolina State University, said in a release. "This includes offering resources for skill development, ongoing training, and access to scholarships and other initiatives that support their success. By investing in these efforts, the U.S. can encourage STEM professionals to thrive and remain committed to advancing their careers domestically."
Read more about the best and worst metro areas for STEM professionals.
Best metro areas for STEM professionals
| Rank | Metro area | Total score | Professional
opportunities rank | STEM-friendliness
rank | Quality of
life rank |
10
| Orlando, FL
| 59.36
| 19
| 26
| 15
|
9
| Springfield, MA
| 59.99
| 63
| 2
| 4
|
8
| San Jose, CA
| 60.12
| 7
| 5
| 73
|
7
| Madison, WI
| 60.46
| 31
| 11
| 18
|
6
| Pittsburgh
| 62.21
| 38
| 15
| 6
|
5
| San Francisco
| 64.67
| 4
| 3
| 58
|
4
| Atlanta
| 66.29
| 8
| 12
| 9
|
3
| Seattle
| 66.88
| 1
| 7
| 44
|
2
| Boston
| 66.93
| 6
| 1
| 67
|
1
| Austin, TX
| 67.07
| 2
| 18
| 11
|
Worst metro areas for STEM professionals
| Rank | Metro area | Total score | Professional
opportunities rank | STEM-friendliness
rank | Quality of
life rank |
100
| Jackson, MS
| 24.31
| 92
| 99
| 100
|
99
| Little Rock, AR
| 27.36
| 89
| 98
| 95
|
98
| Memphis, TN
| 29.72
| 80
| 87
| 98
|
97
| Louisville, KY
| 32.17
| 96
| 92
| 80
|
96
| Cape Coral, FL
| 32.22
| 61
| 84
| 93
|
95
| North Port, FL
| 32.66
| 67
| 82
| 96
|
94
| Winston, NC
| 33.26
| 91
| 77
| 87
|
93
| Greensboro, NC
| 33.85
| 88
| 63
| 88
|
92
| Oxnard, CA
| 34.21
| 98
| 34
| 99
|
91
| McAllen, TX
| 34.44
| 95
| 74
| 27
|
